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02/08/2008: "10000 attend Dimapur rally OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph"



10000 attend Dimapur rally OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph

Kohima, Feb. 7: The people’s anguish against a spate of abductions and extortion in Dimapur today spilled into the open as the public served an ultimatum to the Nephiu Rio government to arrest the culprits or face an indefinite closure of the state’s commercial hub.
Over 10,000 people converged at Deluxe Point in the heart of Dimapur for a rally organised by the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union and demanded that the state government arrest those responsible for the ongoing spate of terror in Dimapur or face indefinite closure of Dimapur town.
They also condemned the rise in kidnapping, ransom demands and extortion on non-Naga traders in and around Dimapur and elsewhere in the state. The rally was supported by the Naga Hoho, Naga Students’ Federation, All Nagaland College Students’ Union, Dimapur Naga Women’s Hoho, Dimapur Naga Council, Dimapur Municipal Council, business community of Dimapur, Naga tribal Hohos, gaonburhas (village chiefs), and dubhashis (heads of Naga customary law) and several organisations.
The speakers in today’s rally demanded that the state government immediately arrest all the “armed elements” responsible for kidnapping over 50 non-Naga traders in Dimapur for ransom and extorting crores of rupees from the shops and business establishments in Dimapur. At least one trader was killed recently by suspected rebels after he failed to pay the ransom of Rs 20 lakh. The body of Podurul Islam, a poultry trader at New Market, was found at 4th mile on February 2.
Pushika Awomi, former president of DNSU and NSF, criticised the state government’s inaction against the ongoing terror activities in Dimapur by the “armed elements”. He also lashed out at the Dimapur district administration for not being effective in maintaining law and order.
Several other speakers also questioned the government for being a mute spectator to the ongoing antisocial activities, particularly on the non-Nagas.
All business establishments remained closed during the rally.
Governor K. Sankaranarayanan today held a security meeting with top officials of the police, army, district administration and various organisations at Chumukedima, 10km from Dimapur, to take stock of the situation.
STOP. Listen. NO MORE killings morungexpress
In a show of solidarity, people from different walks of life rallied in protest against the kidnappings, and killing of innocent people, especially of the business community. The protest rally, which was convened under the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (
Dimapur | February 7 (Morung Express News): In the backdrop of the recent spate of abductions for ransom, and killings in Dimapur, thousands of people from the students’ and business community as well as citizens today converged at Deluxe Point, Dimapur and gave out a clear message to the Naga underground factions that the people of Dimapur do not want extortion, kidnapping and killing any more.
‘Stop killing, Stop kidnapping’, ‘give us a peace of mind’, ‘we want peace and harmony’ and ‘we condemn anti social activities’ were the words spread by the participants during the ‘protest rally against kidnapping & anti social activities in Dimapur’ which was convened under the Dimapur Naga Student’s Union (DNSU) today at 10 O’clock.
The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) president, Imchatoba Imchen speaking at the protest, strongly condemned the extortions, killing and kidnapping which has ‘brought the town to a stalemate’. He said that there are anti-social elements in the Naga underground factions and that the crimes in Dimapur are being perpetrated by these anti-social elements in the name of Naga movement.
He declared that Nagas will not tolerate such elements. “To get peace we should not allow any room or space to any anti-social elements,” said Imchatoba. The NSF president strongly appealed to extend strong cooperation to the law enforcing agencies to bringing peace. He further declared the NSF is fully supporting the DNSU in the endeavor to secure a peaceful and just society.
Former DNSU and NSF president, Pushika Awomi, in a very powerful speech, scorned the law-enforcing agencies for security lapses in the city. “We want peace. A mental peace an economic peace,” said Awomi.
While strongly asserting that the extortions and kidnappings are carried out in the name the Naga movement, the former NSF chief appealed to the factions to understand if they are really for the people then extortion and kidnapping is not the desire of the people. Awomi also strongly condemned the district administration and the law enforcing agencies for their lack of action, in the same vein Awomi criticized the church for their ‘silence’ on the whole issue.
Prominent businessman in Dimapur, Basu Damini who is the interim secretary of the business community of Dimapur district, said that the city at present is more terrorized than during the days of 1997 when the Naga situation was at its worst. Damini also categorically criticized law-enforcing agencies. He said that even after more than fifty cases of reported kidnapping, the police have not solved even one case, and arrested one person. “This is not about politics…this is about life and death,” said Basu. He requested the students’ community to never leave the agitation but be the first to lend support to the business community in times of needs.
The Muslim Council of Dimapur president, Fukar appealed to the ‘kidnappers’ to release the abducted persons and at the same time appealed to the underground factions for peace. Others who spoke on the occasion include the ANCSU president, president of Dimapur Sadar GBs Union, the general secretary of Dimapur Naga Council and the president of the Naga Women Hoho Dimapur. They all condemned the recent spate of kidnapping and killing in the state and extended support to the DNSU in their effort.
The DNSU president, who was the chairperson at the meeting, towards the end of the rally, declared that random collections of money by students’ community is banned and at the same time requested the students not to bring a bad name to the students community through their behavior and their activities. The DNSU also submitted a memorandum to the state Governor through the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur after the protest rally.

DNSU extends appreciation
The Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) extended its appreciation to all who actively participated in the protest rally organized on February 7 to demonstrate the people’s anguish and condemnation over the spat of anti-social activities going on for the past months in and around Dimapur. The union expresses heartfelt gratitude to all the speakers from the non- governmental bodies and student bodies like Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Students Federation, Naga Women Hoho, All Nagaland College Students Union, Dimapur Sadar GB Union, Interim body BOAD, Muslim Council Dimapur, senior leaders of NSF and DNSU, businessmen, traders and every individual who has made their participation felt.
The union also wishes to thank each and every student, teacher and principal who participated physically, morally and intellectually. DNSU gives special appreciation to the local media who continue to strive in promoting social activism, catering to the needs of a modern day society. The union is also grateful to the administration and law enforcement agencies whose service and support to the citizens is a paramount subject of a modern society and calls upon everyone to stand and fight for injustice, crime, corruption and violence.
DNSU appeals for Guv’s Intervention

The Governor of Nagaland is urged to intervene with preventive measures to stop destructive elements that have invaded Dimapur. A memorandum to the Governor from the DNSU mentioned the protest rally against the unabated extortion, abduction, killing on ransom and disruption of normalcy in Dimapur. “We unanimously condemn the heinous crimes being perpetrated against the society at large by anti-social elements in Dimapur. We do not wish to be continuously plagued by fear psychosis, sense of insecurity and lawlessness. It is our desire to live in peace and harmony by reclaiming normal life in Dimapur” the memorandum stated. “We, therefore, sincerely appeal to your Excellency to immediately initiate preventive measures against the negative and destructive elements that have invaded Dimapur in recent times and to restore normalcy in this commercial hub of the State. We await your prompt intervention and deliverance” the memorandum concluded.
NSCN (I-M) lauds DNSU Nagaland Post
Dimapur, Feb 7 (NPN): The NSCN (I-M) has lauded the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) for organizing Thursday’s “protest rally” against incidents of kidnapping, extortion and killing etc in Dimapur.
A press release issued by the MIP of NSCN (I-M) said by organizing the protest rally, the DNSU had showed the way to the society to have “moral guts” to stand up against the evils of the society and to call a spade a spade.
“The DNSU has awaken to the reality of the situation to protest the unlawful and degrading activities of the pseudo-Naga nationalists who exercise no human thinking and get carried away by the greed fore money and power,” the release said. Reiterating its allegation that the group led by Azheto (NSCN Unification) was responsible for kidnapping for ransom, extortion and killing etc, the release said the “fictitious group” was exploiting the “good name of NSCN” by hoodwinking the Nagas under what it described as the “obsessive agenda of Naga unification”.
The NSCN (I-M) expressed deep concern over the state of lawlessness “since imposition of President’s Rule” in the State and called upon people to save the Naga society from the “scourge of the gang” which was giving sleepless nights to the business community.
Further, the faction asked the law enforcing agencies to take lessons from Thursday’s rally and start acting with all seriousness to restore its image and credibility.
It may be mentioned the rally was organized against the backdrop of a series of abductions, particularly of businessmen, for ransom.
WSSU flays NSCN (I-M) Nagaland |Post
DIMAPUR, FEB 7 (NPN): The Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) has expressed indignation over the NSCN (I-M) accusation that the Sumi Hoho (SH) and Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) were responsible for the recent surge in anti-social activities and said such accusations were nothing short of “blasphemy” to the entire Sumi community.
Stating that SH and WSH were sincere in their effort to stop fratricide and mindless killings among Nagas, WSSU in a press statement issued by its president Kaino Chishi and finance secretary Daniel Swu also maintained that the recent anti-social activities were deliberate acts of those sections opposed to the Naga unification. WSSU further asserted that “Sumi stands for peace, unity and reconciliation and we will stand to the last.”
Naga Convention for Peace and healing morungexpress
Dimapur, February 7 (MExN): Informing to be the outcome of divine sanction and revelation, a convention, ‘Naga Peace Convention,’ is scheduled to be held February 22-24 in Dimapur. The event is convened through the Naga Shisha Hoho and Healing Center Pruzie. Naga spectrum from the Naga Hoho to ENPO, NSF to ENSF, NPMHR, NMA, Dimapur Naga Council, GBs and DBs, southern Naga frontals like the UNC, ANSAM, NWUM as well as all Naga underground workers are appealed to, to attend the peace convention.
A message from the Naga Shisha Hoho stated: “Throughout the history of humankind, God has spoken to His people in different ways. To the Nagas, God has also spoken many times through different men and women of God. In the recent past, God’s Revelation in Christ, through Naga Shisha Hoho and Healing Centre Pruzie, Kohima, is that Christians in Naga areas irrespective of denomination assemble for a Naga peace convention at Dimapur Local Ground, from February 22-24, 2008 under the theme ‘The Moment of Harvesting the Fruit of peace (James 3: 15-18).”
‘In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we urge all the Christian churches and peace-loving people to join us in obedience to His command. Different speakers and choirs will be taking part at different services,’ the message read.
ULFA haven in Army’s sight morungexpress
Dibrugarh, February 7 (The Telegraph): The appointment of a former chief of army staff as the governor of Arunachal Pradesh was the signal and the Prime Minister’s strategy session with top officials in Lohitpur last week confirmation of the biggest military offensive against ULFA in that state.
Top army sources said the plan to drive Ulfa out of its safest sanctuary in the Northeast was fine-tuned during Manmohan Singh’s recent visit to the state. Top army commanders briefed him on the strategy at the headquarters of the 82 Mountain Brigade in Lohitpur.The recent appointment of Gen. (retd) J.J. Singh as governor is part of the larger plan. The former army chief had a stint in Arunachal Pradesh before he went on to head the military.
The army has identified five districts for a sustained operation. “Our focus will be on the districts of Tirap, Changlang, Lohit, Upper Dibang Valley and Lower Dibang Valley. There will be more intensity in operations in these districts,” a senior army officer based in that state said.The primary objective is to dismantle Ulfa bases in the jungles of Arunachal Pradesh and cut off links with its bases in Myanmar.
Assam has been asking for an intensive operation against Ulfa in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh and Mon district of Nagaland since last year, when militants killed 70-odd Hindi speakers in parts of Upper Assam. Ulfa uses both states as launch pads for its activities in Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar districts. “Unlike Assam, Arunachal Pradesh does not have a Unified Command structure (for counter-insurgency operations). Therefore, it will be very important for us if the army goes all out against the outfit in Arunachal Pradesh. If the outfit can be cornered there, half our job will be done,” a senior police official in Tinsukia said.
Ulfa has built strong bases in and around Manabhum reserve forest and Namdapha National Park. The two forests straddle Lohit and Changlang districts.The outfit blew up a 2.5-tonne truck in Lohit district last year, killing two army personnel. A captain’s death during an operation in Tinsukia on February 27, a day after being named as one of the recipients of a Sena Medal for gallantry, steeled the army’s resolve to go for the kill.
“That (Capt. S.K. Chaudhury’s death) was the last straw. The Centre then decided to go for the kill. Ulfa is still thriving in isolated pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam,” the army officer said.

Fresh scrutiny of uranium mining plan
OUR CORRESPONDENT The Telegraph
Shillong, Feb. 7: The newly elected chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) has said the uranium mining project would be subjected to a fresh scrutiny before it is allowed to begin.
Speaking to The Telegraph, C.B. Syiem said his predecessor H.S. Shylla never consulted the executive committee, the decision making body of KHADC, on the project. The construction of Mawthabah Road in the West Khasi Hills to facilitate uranium mining was the centre of a controversy with the CBI probing the alleged irregularities in the construction of the road.
Shylla initiated the road construction and was determined to allow Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to mine uranium in the state. However, Syiem said he would cooperate with the CBI to find out the anomalies in the construction of the road project.
Syiem also said both the state and the Union governments would be consulted before taking decision on the uranium mining project. He indicated that Shylla never sought the permission from the state government before giving his nod to the project.
He said there was a lack of transparency in the construction of Mawthabah Road sponsored by the UCIL. Syiem also hinted that the leasing out of some departments of the KHADC to private parties for revenue collection was not acceptable.
“A meeting of the KHADC executive committee would be convened to scrap the deal Shylla made with the private parties,” Syiem said.
Shylla had leased out the revenue collection of trade and professional tax departments of the council to private parties at a lower rate.
Yesterday, Shylla filed a case before the Shillong bench of Gauhati High Court challenging the decision of the KHADC chairman to convene a special session on February 5 without the permission of the governor.
During the session, all the 29 members voted against Shylla resulting in his removal.
According to Shylla, the special session convened by the chairman went against the rules of the district council.
However, the new KHADC chief said the allegation had no basis.
According to the rule, when 36 members of the KHADC are present, the chairman in case of a no-confidence motion can summon a special session, if the majority of the members request it.
A no-confidence motion was moved against Shylla on February 5 and he was defeated on the floor of the House by a voice-vote.



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